Fowler Museum launches world music educational series for families

Stacey Ravel Abarbanel |
December 01, 2011

Family Jam, a new monthly world music series for families, will begin this January at the Fowler Museum at UCLA. The series provides an opportunity for young people to listen to and learn about various global music traditions that relate to the museum's collections and exhibitions and then to make music themselves with performers and museum educators, many of whom are UCLA student musicians.

"Music is central to our familial and community lives — to be commemorated, celebrated and, above all, shared," said Betsy D. Quick, director of education and curatorial affairs at the Fowler. "Family Jam expands upon the musical traditions associated with the world arts on view at the Fowler, inviting participants to experiment with rhythm, join in song and create simple instruments. We invite everyone — young and younger — to mark these dates on their calendars and join in the musical fun!"

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Family Jam programs are offered free of charge. The series begins in 2012 with these events:

Sunday, Jan. 22

2–4 p.m.

Family Jam: Shake, Rattle, and Roll With African Rhythm

Discover the melodic music of Zimbabwe, Ghana, Mali and Tanzania. Then build your own drums and shakers and join in a rhythmic jam session.

Sunday, Feb. 12

2–4 p.m.

Family Jam: Música and the Chicano Movement

Explore the instrumental and vocal sounds that have inspired Mexican-Americans in the Chicano movement. Test out your singing talents with popular songs from this rich world of music.

Sunday, March 4

2–4 p.m.

Family Jam: A Bow to Japanese Music

Discover the string, wind, and percussive instruments of Japan in this fascinating demonstration and discussion. After hearing the music, build your own zither and begin your journey to become a Z master.

Family Jam is designed to complement the Fowler's ongoing programming for children and families, including the popular Kids in the Courtyard monthly art-making events. Support for this new music program comes from UCLA Dream Fund.

The Fowler Museum at UCLA is one of the country's most respected institutions devoted to exploring the arts and cultures of Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and the Americas. The Fowler is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. and Thursday from noon to 8 p.m. The museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. The Fowler Museum, part of UCLA Arts, is located in the north part of the UCLA campus. Admission is free. Parking is available for a maximum of $11 in Lot 4. For more information, the public may call 310-825-4361 or visit www.fowler.ucla.edu.